Hey Jazzy...... Thanks for your input. I think you and I may be looking at things a little differently. I see what you have cited and agree that we DO teach eternal progression. I don't necessarily in my mind equate every single idea and interpretation concerning this idea as doctrine. I see what you have cited and am in full agreement and acknowledgement that we do indeed teach the concept. But the idea that what God is man may become....and what man is God once was tends to bring more speculatory doctrines to the table that we don't teach....that we don't put into our manuals. I notice that those parts are missing from your quotes. There are pieces and parts to our understanding of what this all means that are speculatory. These are the parts that I am referring to when I say we talk of it, and wonder about it, and read much of what others have said on the subject, BUT we don't teach it and we put that into its proper place when it comes to what is sanctioned by the church as official doctrine. And I will say.....that many are confused about where the doctrine ends and speculation begins. I hope that helps you understand more precisely what I meant by my statement.
Please understand that I do absolutely believe that exhaltation means that there will be wonderful inheritance including becoming Priests and Priestesses etc. and 'gods' as the D&C outlines. But as I understand it, we will attain such "offices" only "unto the most high God". I don't know that God ever learned or progressed. That idea is speculation and against the official position of the church today. I don't know yet exactly what parts of the creative process with be open to the exalted. Most of the answers are logical assumptions.....intelligent speculation, as I call it, but I feel nervous saying that we officially know the answers to all these questions. I can't imagine in my heart that I will ever become independant of the influence of the Savior. For it is thru the Savior, as Jacob says, that all things are made possible. IT is thru the savior that I am forgiven and saved and exalted and brought into the state of eternal progression. In my mind, I guess that it will be thru him that I will do whatever it is I will do there. I can't imagine it any other way. My God is what the scriptures say he is. The same yesterday today and forever. These ideas of Eternal progression seem to beget question after question and some answers make sense and other answers feel quite incomplete. And so.....I say again. I think we are in the areas of deep doctrine.....and area of the vineyard that we must tread lightly....especially when posting on this type of public forum.
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